Improvement in potato-digger



- inited states JOHN M. BURKEQOF DANSVILLE, NEW, YORK.

Leners Pafaa1v0.93,o5odated .my 27, '1869.

IMPROVEIVIENT IN POTATO-DIG-GER.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part or the lame.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J oHN M. BURKE, of Dansville,

cmstmeti @aand operation lof the same, reerence being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the lettersand figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is atop yplan' view of my invention. l

Figure 2 is a side sectional view 'of the same.

My invention has relation to machines for digging potatoes; and

It consists mainly in the construction and novel arrangement of devices -by whichthe work of digging potatoes may be readily and eiieiently accomplished.

The letter A, of the drawings; represents the tongue of my potato-digger, which is made to extend to the extreme rear of the machine, and has its rear forked ends pointed, to serve as handles for Jthe operator.'

The letter B represents an axle working in journals plow E, spike-wheels, axle, and,pins, as described,

formed by staples extending downward from the lower side of the tongue AA. This axle is constructed with a seriesl of pins marked c, which is firmly attached thereto,and which serves the purpose of shaking the grate F, as hereinafter mentioned.

VThe wheels of my machine consist of hubs and spikes, without felloes or tire, as represented.

The letter E represents the plow adjusted in the tongue, as shown, to the bottom part oil-which is pivoted the grate F.

The' letter G is a bolt passing from the top of tongue A to the bottom of grate F, as shown, and is made adjustable by means of proper screws and nuts.

The grate F is a series of plates or fingers, rounded upward at its centre, pivoted,v` at Aits front end, to the plow E, and joined by -the cross-bar s, whichv cross-bar also serves .as a means for attaching the bolt G to the erste F. A

To operate my device, the plow is drawn 'through the -potato-hill, and the potatoes, with the soil, are necessarily passed rearward upon the grate F. While this is being done, the spike-wheels are rotated, and at every movement thereof, the pins c areforced against the fingers of grate F, thereby giving said grate a constant shaking motion, and relieving it from the soil.

f The potatoes are passed rearward, with the'soil separated therefrom, ready for gathering and transporta-V tion from vthe field.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- A 1. The above-described machine,lfor digging potatoes, andfreeing them from dirt, at one continuous operation.

2. The pivoted grate F, in combination with the constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as specified.

In testimony that Iclaim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name, in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. BURKE.

Witnesses:

Jnssn B. PURsrn, Y C. K. KERN. 

